Neff gets call to Hall

January 10, 2006|SCOTT DAVIDSON Tribune Staff Writer

What began as a "favor,'' has turned into a Hall-of-Fame coaching career for Steve Neff. The longtime and highly-successful NorthWood High School girls basketball coach was selected Monday for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Neff is in his 29th year at perennial power NorthWood. He owns a 493-136 mark, highlighted by the Class 3-A state title in 1999. "My name may be on it, but this is not a 'me' award," said Neff. "It's about all the girls who have played for me and all the coaches we've had. "I'm getting it, because I have a lot of wins. But, it's a feather in the cap of all our players and coaches. I'm happy for our school and the program." "I'm kind of awed by this. I feel bad for some of the coaches who have put in a lot of time and haven't got in the Hall of Fame yet." Neff, who was also a longtime football assistant coach, took the girls basketball job on a whim. "When I first came here, I coached gymnastics one year as a favor," related Neff. "Then, as a favor, I agreed to coach girls basketball. I thought I would do it a couple of years. But it was hard to get out. There was always another player you wanted to stay for. There was always another sister or cousin coming." Neff's "Black Swish" program has had its share of talented players over the years. Names like Amy Zercher, Natalie Will, Carol Duncan, A.J. Whitehead, LoriDawn Klotz and Jami Heckaman are just a few of the standouts to come through the Panther program. "I've been fortunate to have a lot of great players,'' said Neff. "A lot of great, smart kids who came from great families. I've also had great coaches throughout our system who have been with us for a long time.'' Neff's current team was 9-4 heading into tonight's matchup with Tippecanoe Valley. The Panthers went 20-5 last year, losing 47-41 to eventual state champion St. Joe in the Class 3-A semistate. Neff, the father of two daughters who also teach, has no immediate plans to end his Hall-of-Fame career. The 54-year old, who has won 18 sectionals and 10 regionals (including six straight from 1994-99), needs just seven more wins to reach the coveted 500-win mark. "I'm still enjoying it and still having fun," Neff said. "As long as that's the case, I'll keep coaching. "I think I'll realize when it's time to stop coaching. Right now I'm not sure my wife wants me home all the time anyway."